Photos of Guerline Damas taken on January 5, 2009 by a member of the Collier County Sheriff Office to be submitted as evidence. According to the sheriff's office the photos are of injuries Guerline sustained during a domestic disturbance between her and her husband of 10 years, Mesac Damas. Damas was charged with battery.

A few days ago, Guerline Damas and five of her children were brutally murdered in their North Naples home. Guerline was said to have asked the judge repeatedly to forgive her husband after she was beaten in the years before. She went so far as to write a letter to the judge stating that she would like to give her husband a second chance.

Many people ask themselves why a person would stay in an abusive relationship. Women often do not leave abuse because of financial reasons. There are shelters for abused victims across the country that will help with electric bills and the first month of rent. Many shelters will help a victim buy a car so that they can be independent and find work.

Here in Southwest Florida, there are many victims that do not have any documentation and they depend completely on their abuser. They are without employment, a driver license, a checking account and so forth. Local shelters help these women learn to be independent so that they can escape the abuse.

There are programs today in the United States that help these victims become legal. Law enforcement officers work together with shelters around the country to learn how to deal with domestic violence victims.

The Florida Department of Children and Families and law enforcement can only do so much. If you are in an abusive relationship you need to document the abuse. Make sure that you always file a police report if you are abused. Have someone help you take pictures of any marks or bruises that you may have. Be sure to take video and get as much evidence as you can. You can file a restraining order at your local courthouse. After you file do not drop the restraining order.

I am a survivor of domestic violence. I left my abuser seven years ago. I was 23 years old when I met my abuser and I finally left when I was 31 years old. I was extremely naive and full of life when we met. I am from a small town in Massachusetts and I grew up in a very conservative family.

My family believed that you should never discuss your personal life with anyone. As a result, I did not report the abuse. I was embarrassed and afraid to speak of what was happening to me. In 2002, I finally left because I realized that my son was not in a safe environment. My abuser became violent and attempted to kidnap my 7-month-old baby.

In order to stop my abuser from fleeing with my son, I tied his shoelaces together and pulled his pants down. My son was in his arms at the time. This delayed him long enough to allow me to call law enforcement. He attempted to leave once more and I ran behind our minivan in order to stop him. He had my son with him in the minivan.

My abuser knew that I was behind the van but continued to back out of the driveway. I would not move so he slowly pushed me with the van. Law enforcement arrived and he was arrested with my son on his lap for drunk driving. The next morning I moved my things out of our home while my abuser was still in jail.

In order to break the cycle of abuse, parents need to speak to their children about the fact that violence should never be permitted. Violence should never be taught in the home.

One in three teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their teenage partner. If you are in an abusive relationship, call your local shelter. There are many shelters that offer counseling and group therapy.

I am a member of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and I have attended group therapy off and on for seven years at The Shelter in Naples, also known as the Shelter for Abused Women & Children.

I have a blog that I update now and again regarding domestic violence. Writing has become a great form of therapy for me. You can follow my blog at: http://thepurpleheartclub.blogspot.com/

When a victim stays in an abusive relationship they are imprisoned in their own home. Freedom is worth fighting for. Together as a country we can end domestic violence. October is domestic violence awareness month you can help by making a donation to your local shelter or National Organization Against Domestic Violence.

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To get help, contact the Shelter for Abused Women & Children's 24-hour crisis line at (239) 775-1101.